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WSJ: The FBI can remotely flip on Android phone mics to record conversations

Published Aug 2nd, 2013 10:45AM EDT
FBI Android Microphone Hack

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Anyone worried about being tracked by law enforcement officials really ought to think twice before buying an Android phone. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation can now “remotely activate the microphones in phones running Google’s Android software to record conversations” and that it can also “do the same to microphones in laptops without the user knowing.” The FBI is now able to perform these feats because it’s invested heavily in recruiting hackers to help it improve its surveillance capabilities, the Journal writes. The Journal’s report suggests that federal officials do need to get a warrant before employing such tactics, which means that the FBI isn’t just casting a wide dragnet as the National Security Agency has been doing with cell phone users’ metadata.

Brad Reed
Brad Reed Staff Writer

Brad Reed has written about technology for over eight years at BGR.com and Network World. Prior to that, he wrote freelance stories for political publications such as AlterNet and the American Prospect. He has a Master's Degree in Business and Economics Journalism from Boston University.